Let's go Phils

Are the Phillies so bad that they basically have to play a perfect game to win?

Time to start a "Manuel gets fired" pool in the comments. I'm saying it will be earlier than you would think. The Phillies can't afford to lose this much so early because they have a majority of road games at the end of the season.

UPDATE: Here's SI's take so far:

What's gone wrong?
Nobody in the National League is having more trouble with the basics -- we're talking scoring runs -- than the Phillies. Twenty-four runs in seven games is pathetic. The strange part about the team's scoring outage is that other than Chase Utley and David Bell, nobody's having an unforgivably terrible start. Unless, of course, someone's on base. Then everybody goes in the tank. With runners in scoring position, Philly is hitting .160, last in the NL.

Proving that they're currently a well-rounded bad team, Jon Lieber's two starts have resulted in two losses, a boatload of hits against him and an 8.71 ERA. He's considered the ace of the staff. The Phillies' best start of the season probably came out of Ryan Madson, who is No. 5 in the rotation.

Luckily for the Phillies, their fans haven't burned down Citizens Bank Park, even after that 0-4 start, the first time the Phillies have laid that big an egg to open the season at home since 1977. But, certainly, the season's young for Philly fans, too.

What's gone right?
Jimmy Rollins is hitting, though his streak has come to an end. The 25-year-old Madson, making only his second career start and his first since 2004, looked like he belonged on Sunday, becoming the first Philadelphia starter to go six innings this season (he didn't get the decision). And the bullpen, even without Madson, is respectable (3.21 ERA).

What's next?
If Madson's this good, and if Lieber starts acting like the team ace, all the Phillies need to be competitive is one more pretty good starter. Brett Myers or Cory Lidle ought to be the one to take on that burden. If that happens -- yeah, we know, "if" -- the Phillies should hit enough to be competitive in a weakened NL East.

How come no mention of Manuel's atrocious managing?

Next season's schedule

Eagles are playing Dallass on Christmas Night on MNF but it's in Dallass, not Philadelphia as previously rumored. So 3 Monday night games and 2 Sunday night games. Why? What did the Eagles do last year to warrant that? Note 3 of the last 4 games are in the division and on the road. That's rough but hopefully they'll mean something this year.

Sun., Sept. 10 @ Houston 1 p.m.
Sun., Sept. 17 vs. Giants 1 p.m.
Sun., Sept. 24 @ 49ers 4:15 p.m.
Mon., Oct. 2 vs. Green Bay 8:30 p.m.
Sun., Oct. 8 vs. Dallass 4:15 p.m.
Sun., Oct. 15 @ New Orleans 1 p.m.
Sun., Oct. 22 @ Tampa Bay 1 p.m.
Sun., Oct. 29 vs. Jacksonville 1 p.m.
Sun., Nov. 5 BYE
Sun., Nov. 12 vs. Washington 1 p.m.
Sun., Nov. 19 vs. Tennessee 1 p.m.
Sun., Nov. 26 @ Indy 1 p.m.
Mon., Dec. 4 vs. Carolina 8:30 p.m.
Sun., Dec. 10 @ Washington 1 p.m.
Sun., Dec. 17 @ Giants 1 p.m.
Mon., Dec. 25 @ Dallass 5 p.m.
Sun., Dec. 31 vs. Atlanta 1 p.m.

Douchebag Rangers

First of all this game is a tie because I do not acknowledge the false hockey that is a shoot out. That being said I will point out the positives. #1 Richards goes after douchebag Hollweg for running Umberger last game. Stuff like this is why Richards will one day captian the Flyers. #2 Gauthier hammers lil' douchie Straka with one of the best hits ever. #3 Penalty killing holds the Douchebag Rangers scoreless on 6 attempts, so uber douche Jagr can't score his precious 53rd goal and give JD a big "oh baby". #4 Esche looks real sharp. #5 Foresberg line looks very good. #6 Flyers threw a lot of hits. Now the negatives. #1 Douchebag Rangers won and remain in first place. #2 Savage got totally hammered on a check and sprained his goatee. #3 Hatcher is super slow, its like Paul Wall gave him a chopped & screwed remix. #4 Desjardins continues to find new ways to suck. #5 The Flyers continue to back in instead of standing up at the blue line, allowing the Rangers to get many shots on Esche. #6 Flyers continue to get shots blocked all the time, especially on the power play.

Still the Flyers had some chances to win this game- 2 hit posts, but the turnover from Kapanen and strong goaltending from Weeks sealed their fate. Friday is another "4 point game" against friggin Buffalo. I am calling that one a must win, as it is likely an openning round playoff preview.

Round Mound of Rebound is Springfield Bound

Charles Barkely was elected to the Basketball Hall Of Fame. I remember little of him playing here, as I was not that big of a basketball fan. He did get a lot of rebounds and said some pretty crazy stuff. He also never had any hair. Barkley got traded to Phoenix for Jeff Hornacek's (who had a nice head of hair) and some other chumps in a deal that people still complain about like it happened yesterday. Read more Barkley memories here or share your own below.

Let's go Phils!

Well the losingest franchise in sports history begins the march to 10,000 losses today. Does anyone besides local sportstalk radio think things will be any different this season, like maybe making the playoffs? Not really.

ESPN's experts either pick the Braves or the Mets to win the NL East and only 2 of 19 picked the Phillies to gain a wildcard. Some guy from Sports Illustrated picks the Braves to win, Mets to wildcard and Fox Sports seconds that prediction. I suspect I could continue to look at season predictions and continue to find Braves or Mets over and over again.

Why does no one believe in the Fightin' Phils? Sure their offense looks pretty good but David Bell, Mike Lieberthal, and the pitcher will still have to bat several times each game. Their starting pitching is shakey and their bullpen is even worse. Basically it's the same problems they've had the last couple years. One bit of optimism though is maybe Pat Gillick will be able to make the move at the trading deadline that makes a difference <cliche>down the stretch</cliche>, something Ed Wade could never do. The Phillies are the masters of <cliche>close, but no cigar</cliche>. Maybe things can be different.

I'm going with 87 wins this year with Ryan Howard hitting 35 homeruns and the bullpen blowing 35 saves.

Rollercoaster continues

After crushing the Senators (who have been slumping) Flyers were embarrassed by Toronto (who have been on a roll) lost to the Devils (who are once again looking prepared for a playoff run) and beat the lowly Islanders in a very boring game. One constant over the last week is you never know what team will show up. They truly are a fragile team. If they get on a roll like the Senators game they look great but if they get behind and frustrated they look terrible like in the Toronto game. I really can't figure it out.

WWEW bracket results

With UCLA defeating LSU, Flying Hellfish becomes this year's champion and i don't see any Baron von Wortzenberger coming along at the last minute to steal the victory away.

1. Flying Hellfish - 85
2. Pearlcoupeg35 - 72
3. timjimmcg - 71
4. ronscrappypicks - 70
5. Big Daddy B - 66
6. Calhoun Hates You - 65
7. Netstradamus - 64
8. Gay Tuna - 61
9. kbock - 56
10. coin flipper - 54
11. ChillyV's Super Dooper Picks - 53
11. EasyForAPimp - 53
13. Vito Taraschi - 42
14. Dick Cheney - 12

Congratulations.

March Sadness For All

Yup, not only did Philly's Villanova lose, but so did the blog's sgw's Huskies. Time to look forward to the draft, which is always anti-climactic. Hey, are the Flyers still playing? LOL.

Is this for real?

Just as I had given up hope on an extended Flyers season, they come back with an awesome week where they defeat the NJ Devils (weak win), the Douchebag Rangers (okay win), and the Ottawa Senators (strong win). The penalty kill is still a bit suspect, but otherwise, in all other aspects of the game, the team looks like a Stanley Cup contender. Well as long as they do not have to face Tampa in the playoffs, who they simply cannot beat. Last nights game was so good I watched the whole thing on IN Demand today (I was out of town last night). I recommend you do the same, or at least the 1st period. With the Rangers hurt and fading, the division is the Flyers for the taking. Call me back on the bandwagon.

March Sadness

Ok, so the headline isn't original. Ron suggested it and I also heard it on the way to work one of these last two days. But, in any event, I haven't read much on the blog lately and figured now is as good a time as ever to reflect on the sadness ahead of the Birds.

Now, BDB is normally a green Kool-Aid drinking proponent of many of the things the Eagles do, especially in the arena of personnel moves. No, I'm not an Eagle jock-rider like Mr. Eskin, but nonetheless, they've done some nice things. This year, though, I'm rather depressed. I'm not sure I find the FO to be at fault. I'm not sulking the passing of all those second tier WR's whom they passed on (heck, Gaffney may turn out ok and those guys weren't all that). I'm also holding out some hope that something else might be in the works, trade-wise, since they're sitting on some hefty money. I'd love a guy like Javon Walker, but he comes with Mr. Rosenhouse, eh? Hmmm, tough one.

I'm fine with the backup signings at QB and TE. But there are two things that are utterly depressing right now. The first is the injury proneness of the entire team. Shawn Barber is a decent pickup IF he stays healthy. Trot still has two blown knees he's playing on every day. Sure, we don't have a SAM LB that is a stud, and we're also going to have to look to the draft to firm up the interior DL (our DE is a nice addition, but we need some pressure up the middle...). But, injuries, they're killer (that includes the new DE). This team can't complain next year if they struggle because of injury. They're an injury prone team (despite regularly canning the old veterans because of injury concerns). But, the most critical concern for me heading into next year (as of today) is the OL. Runyan might be gone, and with our blind side tackle coming off of back surgery, I'm extremely concerned about the OL. Fraley is weak. Shawn Andrews is gonna have to play for real this year and Artis Hicks would be fine if we didn't have issues at both Tackle positions and Center.

Folks, given the fact AR doesn't run more than 40% on a good day (and this OL isn't even that good at run blocking anymore), the OL should be your greatest concern. I'm not sure there was a solution out there. I don't like Runyan more than a short contract anyway. And, well, the Le Charles guy got a heck of a deal in Cleveland. But, either way, this OL looks horrible and prohibitive for a championship year.

So much for madness. Onward with sadness.

Tournament time

Deadline to make picks is Thursday, March 16, 12:10pm EST.

The Flyers are dying on the vine, the Sixers are a joke, and the Eagles are also rans in free agency. So don't miss your chance to distract yourself from the perpetual misery of Philadelphia sports by rooting for teams from other parts of the country.

I set up "team" willweeverwin over at Yahoo! again this year. First go to Yahoo's Tournament Pick'em page. If you have a Yahoo ID, login. If not follow the instructions and get one. Once logged in fill out your individual info for your pick'em bracket then click the "Create or Join Group" button then choose "Join an existing group" then choose "Join a private group". When prompted, enter the following information:

Group ID#: 66716
Pass: probablynot

The willweeverwin winner will experience the rare feeling of being a champion. Savor it. Because you won't get that from anywhere else.

UPDATE: You can now download a "custom" PDF of the WWEW tournament bracket.

Pathetic

More of the same in today's game. Same pathetic defense, same pathetic giveaways, same pathetic team. Miraculously ahead going into the third 5-4, mainly due to terrible goaltending by Miller who was benched after 2, the Flyers managed one pathetic shot in the entire last period. Flyers blew leads of 2-0, 3-2, and 5-4 to lose this one. Pathetic.

If no one has noticed, Desjardins has returned to his "really sucking" form. He's become a penalty machine and is on the ice for numerous odd-man rushes and goals against, including today's game loser. Why even pass it anywhere? Just trap it against the boards for 5 seconds. He did have the Flyers lone shot in the third period so he gets a gold star for that.

Other notes: Forsberg gives it away too much; Knuble was invisible after he scored early; Flyers main breakout play consists of jamming it along the boards to the other team in the neutral zone; Flyers love to receive passes and coast with the puck until it's too late to do anything with it; Flyers didn't hit anything; the Brashear to Radivojevic to Richards goal was one of the nicest plays all year; Flyers newest acquisitions did less than nothing - both were -1 for the game.

Analysis of Flyers pick-ups

The first move the Flyers made today was getting defenseman Denis Gauthier from Phoenix for Josh Gratton and two 2006 second round draft picks.

The Hockey News' analysts had this to say:

Proteau's Analysis: GM Bob Clarke's latest deal adds veteran experience to Philadelphia's roster without giving away a bona fide NHLer in return. Gauthier's physical style of play will fit in perfectly with the Flyers.

Gratton is a tough, smallish winger who will be given more time to develop in the American League. Winner: Flyers.

Brophy's pick: Coyotes. Gauthier is a perfect fit on the Flyers blueine, but he is unrestricted this summer and Phoenix now has four second round picks and could trade some of them on draft day to get a first-rounder.

Brender's pick: Both. It may be a new game, but Gauthier is a nasty, old-time defenseman who could be huge in the Eastern Conference playoffs. Getting the tough guy Gratton and two seconds is excellent value for the Coyotes.

ESPN's expert:

Scott Burnside's instant analysis: It wouldn't be a trade deadline without Philadelphia GM Bob Clarke making a big splash, and Clarke held true to form with his acquisition of former first-round pick Denis Gauthier. Although Gauthier, who is set to become an unrestricted free agent at season's end, has never exactly lived up to his pre-NHL billing he is a force along the blue line. At 6-foot-3, 224 pounds and a heavy hitter, Gauthier fits the Flyer prototype and bolsters an already impressive Flyer blue line. In Gratton, the Coyotes get a bruising 23-year-old who led the AHL's Phantoms in penalty minutes -- but the real juice in this deal for Phoenix is in two draft picks.

My instant analysis: Guy has 2 goals and 8 assists. Another slow, immobile d-man of which the Flyers already have too many. Played for Calgary in the Cup so the Flyers, via their proxies - JJ, Coatesy, and Dornhoffer - will sell him as big and strong with good playoff experience. They will mention his former first round draft status as if that means anything. Remember Fooloon and Daigle? I'm underwhelmed.

Later in the day the Flyers picked up winger Nicholas Dimitrakos from San Jose for a third round pick.

THN:

Proteau's Analysis: The Flyers add some speed and a bit of offense in Dimitrakos, who didn't blow away Sharks brass despite numerous opportunities. A third-round pick seems to be standard for trades involving fringe players, and that's what Clarke gave up here. Winner: Flyers.

Brophy's pick: Flyers. Dimitrakos will be a solid fourth-liner for the Flyers and had nine points in 15 playoff games two years ago.

Brender's thoughts: Dimitrakos became expendable with Sharks addition of Ville Nieminen. San Jose gives up scoring potential and speed for sandpaper while the Flyers get forward depth.

ESPN:

Scott Burnside's instant analysis: Bob Clarke, as is his wont at deadline time, is stockpiling forward depth for what he imagines will be a long playoff run. Although Dimitrakos had only 16 points in 45 games this season, the 26-year-old was a surprise contributor to the Sharks' run to the conference final in 2004 with nine points in 15 games.

My instant analysis: Another guy I had never really heard of. Sounds like he's quick and speedy but lacks grit and a scoring touch. Don't the Flyers already have enough guys that don't win battles along the boards and can't finish?

Overall I guess Clarke did his best. He sorta addressed the need for a defenseman but not for a penalty killer. I guess I can look at it as an overall good thing though because he didn't get rid of Carter or Richards or even Umberger, all players that I like and think will be much better down the road. Carolina ended up with Recchi and also picked up some other players. Rangers made several moves as did the Devils. I guess we'll start to see if anything changes for the better this Saturday vs. the Sabres.

A win is a win, but...

The short term trend is the Flyers have won their last 2 games. The long term trend is that they still aren't very good. The similarity in both games is kind of odd too. Versus Montreal and Carolina the best player on the Flyers was their goalie, Flyers were thoroughly outplayed and outchanced, tradebait Umberger scored, Forsberg scored identical shootout goals to keep the Flyers alive, and the Forsberg following shootout game winning goals were identical as well.

Versus Montreal the Flyers were the beneficiaries of some bad Huet goaltending. All 4 regulation goals probably should have been saved with the weakest of the 4 being Desjardins' "poke" goal. Of course the Flyers repaid Huet's generosity by blowing a 2 goal lead late in the third to give the Canadiens a point. Although Nedved sucks, I will give him credit for his winning goal in the shootout. I think he watched how Forsberg scored and saw Huet "lunge" out to cover the backhand and leave the 5 hole wide open. Nedved did the same move figuring the goalie wouldn't be as aggressive covering the far side of the net and he was right.

Versus Carolina some luck and Niittymaki won this game. Flyers were outchanced probably 2 to 1 and Carolina had about 10 odd man rushes. Flyers continued their sloppy ways, repeatedly turning the puck over with bad passes and carelessness. They also continually lost battles for the puck and in the entire third period, only down by a goal (before the flurry in the last 30 seconds) I remember only one legitimate chance to score. Carolina just shut them down. But to their credit the Flyers never did give up and they literally pulled it out in the last second and went on to win in the stupid shootout. I wonder if Gagne learned something from Nedved.

Time to face facts

It's time to admit to ourselves that another Philadelphia team's season once filled with high hopes will again end in failure. The Flyers have become the Eagles on skates. Injury after injury has depleted the team and destroyed any chemistry they once had. Their powerplay and penalty kill has been terrible since October but at least they were winning the games while 5 on 5 -- but not anymore. Superstar players are not playing up to their potential and the rookies and Phantoms fill-ins have run out of gas and are not producing anything. The Flyers have lost 9 of their last 12 games and 12 out of 13 vs. winning teams.

The 3 games after the Olympics were important but the Flyers managed only 1 point and looked bad to horrible in all 3. In the Islanders game last night there was not one instance where the Flyers applied any constant pressure. There wasn't one time where the Islanders were scrambling. The Flyers 2 goals were gifts, one from a lucky bounce and the other via a terrible save attempt. I stopped watching the 6-1 loss to the Rangers when Jim Jackson said with around 5 minutes left in the second and the score 5-1, "Don't go anywhere folks, there's a lot of time left in this game." Right, and Petr Nedved looks really good out there too. The Devils game was boring and, aside from the goalies, everyone looked rusty. The Flyers topped that 1 goal effort off by getting shut out in the stupid shootout.

Unlike the NFL, everyone in the NHL makes the playoffs so the Flyers agony will be extended. As the playoffs draw near look for players to drag out, "The playoffs are a new season", to try and convince themselves that their normal play, and more importantly their special teams play, will magically improve. Forget what the Flyers might be doing before the trading deadline, the only real question left is will it be a first or second round exit.